Film Opening Sequences

                    L/O:
     -to know what an opening sequence is
-be able to use key terms to analyze an opening
                   sequence
Key Terms
• Opening sequence
• Title sequence
• Teaser

• Billing
    – top billing
•   Titles/Credits
•   Film title
•   Film credit
•   Opening credits
•   End credits
Film opening sequence
• What is it?
• What are their purposes?



• What are some of your favourites? Why?
Key Terms DEFINITIONS
Film            Film             Billing        Opening                      Title                          Opening                 Closing
Title           Credit                          Sequence                     Sequence                       Credits                 Credits

                                 (Top & Last)
                                                (Cold-
                                                open/Teaser)
Title of film   Name and/or      The process    The opening of a film        The opening credits of         The credits and the     The credits
                role of person   of placing                                  a film in which the            beginning of the film   and the end
                worked on film   titles and                                  title and credits are                                  of the film
                                 credits in a   More modern films that       separate from the film
                                 film           set a scene in the           itself
                                                opening which creates
                                                enigma (like a trailer) is
                                                called cold open or
                                                                             Ex James Bond
                                                teaser. Example = 4-3-2-
                                                1 opening
                                 Top = most
                                 important

                                 Last = least
                                 important
                                                                             http://www.youtube.com/watch
                                                                             ?v=4uaYiWu7uZs&safe=active
Recent trends
•   Opening sequences used to just be titles (billing)

•   Now there are so many styles:
     –   Opening sequence (montage or narrative based)
     –   Title sequence
     –   Teaser
     –   Short and sweet and some long and complex

•   Many major American films have done away with opening credits, not even
    displaying the film title until beginning of closing credits
     –   Van Helsing in 2004
     –   Batman Begins in 2005
     –   High school music – scene AFTER credits
     –   Liar Liar & Cheaper by the Dozen 2- bloopers
     –   The Hangover (intrigued to watch pictures which answer story in film)
     –   Slumdog Millionaire (end credits have dance routine worked in)
Genre
• Different films and genres do these different:
    –   Introducing characters
    –   Establishing setting/story
    –   Graphics/titles (title sequence)
    –   Showing titles only

•   DRAMA
•   THRILLER
•   HORROR
•   ACTION
•   ROMANCE
EVOLUTION (WIK)
 •     Some opening credits are presented over the opening sequences of a film, rather
       than in a separate title sequence.

 •     In some films/TV shows, the title and opening credits may be preceded by a "cold
       open," or teaser (brief scene), that helps to set the stage for the episode or film

4321                                                       Scream 4
Is a ‘teaser’ as it previews a section later in the film   Next slide….
It cuts off suddenly to create enigma, in which the
film will answer the ultimate question as to why she
jumped off bridge                                          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLrAbsppc
                                                           jw&safe=active

                                                           No credits!!! But has a good reason….
                                                           -trilogy (actors/companies and previous films
                                                           already known
                                                           -way to sell a film which people see as ‘typical
                                                           horror/slasher”
Scream 4 opening
Part 1                                   Part 2                                      Part 3
-typical convention with slight modern   -audience sees that part 1 is a like a      -they discuss stereotypical conventions of
twists (facebook/texting)                parody of scream 1 –                        horror films
-similar to first opening sequence       -however the convention of ‘unpredictable   - The chase/kill sequence reinforces
                                         killer’ is then a parody                    conventions but also challenges them!
Opening Sequence Record Sheet
• Make sure you record all the opening sequences you watch
  over time!
• Write in chart
• Eventually you will put on your blog
You will analyse an Opening Sequence
•   PURPOSE
•   CONVENTIONS (relation to genre)
•   CAM SAM
•   MES
•   EDITING
•   SOUND
•   NARRATIVE
•   NARRATIVE THEORIES
Template to fill in
• Use this to take notes as you watch a clip
Art of the Title   www.artofthetitle.com


This website is fab!


Has loads of great
opening sequences and
title sequences.


(no animated or
title/credit only title
sequence analysis!)


If you click on one, you
can then scroll down for
more info (usually from
directors)
Opening Sequence
Task
• To complete a group analysis on 1 opening
  sequence

• BUT you must individually keep researching
  opening sequences
  – Write down on the record chart to keep track of all
    the ones you watch
  – Then put them on your blog:
     • hyper link of address (from youtube/artofthetitle)
     • screen grabs
     • bullet points about how they are effective)
Task (Assignment 9)
• These are the
  instructions!
Groups
Groups   Names                       Film to analyse
                                     (From art of the title)
                                     U turn
1        Chelsea   Monae    Laura
                                     Red lights
2        Abigail   Russ     Nicole
                                     gattaca
3        Rosie     Marisha Helen
                                     Cabin in the woods
4        Jodie     Amy      Maria
                                     Dawn of the dead
5        Jhane     Ingrid   Fatou
                                     To kill a mockingbird
6        Michaela Rianne    Pam
Model ‘Seven’
• Let’s do one together
• Get your opening sequence template
• Will watch 4 times so take as many notes as
  possible

•   http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/se7en/
Assignment 9: Opening
  Sequence Analysis
       Name 1
       Name 2
       Name 3
Group names & responsibilities

          Task 1                Task 2      Task 3

Name 1    Purpose/Conventions   MES         Narrative theory:
                                            ___________________



Name 2    CAM SAM               Sound       Narrative theory:
                                            ___________________



Name 3    Editing               Narrative   Narrative theory:
                                            ___________________
‘Seven’
                 Film Details



   Genre         Psychological Crime Thriller



   Year          1995



   Director      David Fincher



   Main Actors   Brad Pitt
                 Morgan Freeman
                 Gwenyth Paltrow
                 Kevin Spacey
Film: Se7en
Genre: Psychological Crime Thriller
Template Notes
Purpose (Genre)



Thriller        Crime    Psychological
Purpose (Opening Sequence)
• The purpose of this opening sequence is….

     1.
     2.
     3.
     4.
Conventions
General conventions of genre Conventions in Seven        Similar Films
                             (RE-INFORCE or CHALLENGE)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.
Camera Shots
CLOSE UPS                                                      EXTREME CLOSE UPS   PURPOSE

                                                                                   -no mid shots or long
                                                                                   shots
                                                                                   -to create enigma
                                                                                   and mystery of
                                                                                   objects, settings and
                                                                                   characters
  See parts of a book but in reverse for mystery




Understand a book or journal is involved – but shot is not
overhead so audience can’t see content




                                                               •   Explanation 1
                                                               •   Explanation 2
                                                               •   Explanation 3
Can see pages of the book, not detail of writing but can see
the writer is very obsessive
Camera Angles
Camera Movement
Mise-en-scene: Lighting
Mise-en-scene: Character
Term             Screen grab and Annotation
Representation




Body
Language



Costume



Props
EDITING
•   Diegesis
•   Continuity Editing
•   Pace
•   Time
•   Cutting
•   Transitions
•   Transitions
•   Special Effects
SOUND
•   Sound scape
•   Diegetic
•   Non-diegetic
•   Synchronous
•   Ambient
•   Sound effects/foley
•   Score music
•   Dialogue
•   Volume control
•   Voiceover
•   Mode of address/direct
•   Sound perspective
NARRATIVE
NARRATIVE THEORY
    Todorov
NARRATIVE THEORY
    Barthes
NARRATIVE THEORY
     Propp
NARRATIVE THEORY
    Cameron

Assignment 9 opening sequence analysis

  • 1.
    Film Opening Sequences L/O: -to know what an opening sequence is -be able to use key terms to analyze an opening sequence
  • 2.
    Key Terms • Openingsequence • Title sequence • Teaser • Billing – top billing • Titles/Credits • Film title • Film credit • Opening credits • End credits
  • 3.
    Film opening sequence •What is it? • What are their purposes? • What are some of your favourites? Why?
  • 4.
    Key Terms DEFINITIONS Film Film Billing Opening Title Opening Closing Title Credit Sequence Sequence Credits Credits (Top & Last) (Cold- open/Teaser) Title of film Name and/or The process The opening of a film The opening credits of The credits and the The credits role of person of placing a film in which the beginning of the film and the end worked on film titles and title and credits are of the film credits in a More modern films that separate from the film film set a scene in the itself opening which creates enigma (like a trailer) is called cold open or Ex James Bond teaser. Example = 4-3-2- 1 opening Top = most important Last = least important http://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=4uaYiWu7uZs&safe=active
  • 5.
    Recent trends • Opening sequences used to just be titles (billing) • Now there are so many styles: – Opening sequence (montage or narrative based) – Title sequence – Teaser – Short and sweet and some long and complex • Many major American films have done away with opening credits, not even displaying the film title until beginning of closing credits – Van Helsing in 2004 – Batman Begins in 2005 – High school music – scene AFTER credits – Liar Liar & Cheaper by the Dozen 2- bloopers – The Hangover (intrigued to watch pictures which answer story in film) – Slumdog Millionaire (end credits have dance routine worked in)
  • 6.
    Genre • Different filmsand genres do these different: – Introducing characters – Establishing setting/story – Graphics/titles (title sequence) – Showing titles only • DRAMA • THRILLER • HORROR • ACTION • ROMANCE
  • 7.
    EVOLUTION (WIK) • Some opening credits are presented over the opening sequences of a film, rather than in a separate title sequence. • In some films/TV shows, the title and opening credits may be preceded by a "cold open," or teaser (brief scene), that helps to set the stage for the episode or film 4321 Scream 4 Is a ‘teaser’ as it previews a section later in the film Next slide…. It cuts off suddenly to create enigma, in which the film will answer the ultimate question as to why she jumped off bridge http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLrAbsppc jw&safe=active No credits!!! But has a good reason…. -trilogy (actors/companies and previous films already known -way to sell a film which people see as ‘typical horror/slasher”
  • 8.
    Scream 4 opening Part1 Part 2 Part 3 -typical convention with slight modern -audience sees that part 1 is a like a -they discuss stereotypical conventions of twists (facebook/texting) parody of scream 1 – horror films -similar to first opening sequence -however the convention of ‘unpredictable - The chase/kill sequence reinforces killer’ is then a parody conventions but also challenges them!
  • 9.
    Opening Sequence RecordSheet • Make sure you record all the opening sequences you watch over time! • Write in chart • Eventually you will put on your blog
  • 10.
    You will analysean Opening Sequence • PURPOSE • CONVENTIONS (relation to genre) • CAM SAM • MES • EDITING • SOUND • NARRATIVE • NARRATIVE THEORIES
  • 11.
    Template to fillin • Use this to take notes as you watch a clip
  • 12.
    Art of theTitle www.artofthetitle.com This website is fab! Has loads of great opening sequences and title sequences. (no animated or title/credit only title sequence analysis!) If you click on one, you can then scroll down for more info (usually from directors)
  • 13.
  • 14.
    Task • To completea group analysis on 1 opening sequence • BUT you must individually keep researching opening sequences – Write down on the record chart to keep track of all the ones you watch – Then put them on your blog: • hyper link of address (from youtube/artofthetitle) • screen grabs • bullet points about how they are effective)
  • 15.
    Task (Assignment 9) •These are the instructions!
  • 16.
    Groups Groups Names Film to analyse (From art of the title) U turn 1 Chelsea Monae Laura Red lights 2 Abigail Russ Nicole gattaca 3 Rosie Marisha Helen Cabin in the woods 4 Jodie Amy Maria Dawn of the dead 5 Jhane Ingrid Fatou To kill a mockingbird 6 Michaela Rianne Pam
  • 17.
    Model ‘Seven’ • Let’sdo one together • Get your opening sequence template • Will watch 4 times so take as many notes as possible • http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/se7en/
  • 18.
    Assignment 9: Opening Sequence Analysis Name 1 Name 2 Name 3
  • 19.
    Group names &responsibilities Task 1 Task 2 Task 3 Name 1 Purpose/Conventions MES Narrative theory: ___________________ Name 2 CAM SAM Sound Narrative theory: ___________________ Name 3 Editing Narrative Narrative theory: ___________________
  • 20.
    ‘Seven’ Film Details Genre Psychological Crime Thriller Year 1995 Director David Fincher Main Actors Brad Pitt Morgan Freeman Gwenyth Paltrow Kevin Spacey
  • 21.
  • 22.
  • 23.
    Purpose (Genre) Thriller Crime Psychological
  • 24.
    Purpose (Opening Sequence) •The purpose of this opening sequence is…. 1. 2. 3. 4.
  • 25.
    Conventions General conventions ofgenre Conventions in Seven Similar Films (RE-INFORCE or CHALLENGE) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
  • 26.
    Camera Shots CLOSE UPS EXTREME CLOSE UPS PURPOSE -no mid shots or long shots -to create enigma and mystery of objects, settings and characters See parts of a book but in reverse for mystery Understand a book or journal is involved – but shot is not overhead so audience can’t see content • Explanation 1 • Explanation 2 • Explanation 3 Can see pages of the book, not detail of writing but can see the writer is very obsessive
  • 27.
  • 28.
  • 29.
  • 30.
    Mise-en-scene: Character Term Screen grab and Annotation Representation Body Language Costume Props
  • 31.
    EDITING • Diegesis • Continuity Editing • Pace • Time • Cutting • Transitions • Transitions • Special Effects
  • 32.
    SOUND • Sound scape • Diegetic • Non-diegetic • Synchronous • Ambient • Sound effects/foley • Score music • Dialogue • Volume control • Voiceover • Mode of address/direct • Sound perspective
  • 33.
  • 34.
  • 35.
  • 36.
  • 37.